Understanding Hair Fall: Causes & Treatment Guide

Hair loss is a common problem for millions of people globally. Common reasons for the problem include hormonal imbalances, genetic predisposition, stress, nutritional deficiencies, and various underlying medical conditions.

Once you understand the symptoms and receive a timely diagnosis, you can address the problem through long-term management. You must opt for a personalised and consistent approach to get the best outcomes for sustained hair health.

Hair fall is one of the most-searched health concerns online. Most people either panic at the first sign of shedding or dismiss the issue until it becomes visibly severe. 

This guide covers everything you need to understand about hair loss or hair fall. Learn what is normal, how the hair growth cycle works, what causes excessive hair loss, how it progresses in stages, and how you can manage the problem in the long term. 

What Is Normal Hair Fall?

An average person sheds approximately 50 to 100 hair strands of hair every day. This is not considered hair fall clinically. The concern begins when the amount of hair fall exceeds this limit. Along with this, there is visible thinning of hair, slow or zero hair regrowth, a widening parting, and a receding hairline. 

In medical terms, excessive hair loss is called alopecia. This is a broad term covering different conditions with varying causes, progressions, and treatment responses. 

Understanding why this shedding occurs requires a closer look at how your scalp functions on a biological level. Every hair follows a specific internal clock that determines when it grows and when it eventually falls out.

A Brief Introduction to the Hair-Growth Cycle

Each hair follicle on your scalp goes through a continuous four-stage cycle:

     1. Anagen (Growth Phase)

This active phase is about the production of the hair shaft. It typically lasts 2 to 7 years. At any given time, about 85-90% of your hair remains in this phase.

      2. Catagen (Transition Phase)

This is a brief regression phase of say just 2-3 weeks. In this phase, the hair follicle shrinks, and the hair detaches from its blood supply. 

      3. Telogen (Resting Phase)

In this phase, the hair follicle remains dormant for around 3 months. Approximately 10-15% of your entire hair is in this phase and is ready to shed.  

      4. Exogen (Shedding Phase)

This is a distinct phase in which old hair actively sheds. This phase lasts from 2 to 5 months. This phase also overlaps with the early Anagen phase, when new hair is already forming beneath.

When this natural cycle is interrupted or shortened, the hair begins to show visible signs of distress. Recognizing these changes early is the most effective way to determine if your shedding has shifted from a normal phase into a clinical concern.

How to Identify the Symptoms of Hair Fall?

Hair fall does not start dramatically. Here are some of the common early symptoms you must keep a watch on:

• There will be more hair than usual on the pillow or in the shower drain. 
• There is a noticeably wider side parting. 
• There are thin and patchy areas anywhere on the scalp. 
• You have a receding hairline, particularly at the temples. 
• The scalp is visible through the hair. 
• The hair feels finer or becomes brittle easily. 
• There might be issues of itching, tingling, and a tender sensation on the scalp. 

What Causes Your Hair Fall?

While hormones are often considered one of the main causes of hair fall, there are other reasons like your environment, stress levels and diet. While seeking hair fall solutions, it is important to locate the exact hair fall reason. Here is a structural breakdown of the probable reasons:

Hormonal Changes

• During pregnancy, estrogen levels rise, preserving hair temporarily. However, post-delivery, the levels fall, causing severe hair loss. 
• Women with PCOS have elevated androgen levels, and that may be driving androgenic patterns. 
• Menopause also increases hair thinning. 
• Along with these, thyroid imbalance, both hypo and hyperthyroidism, impacts the hair growth cycle. 

Genetics and DHT

• Family history plays a crucial role in androgenic alopecia. 
• DHT miniaturizes genetically susceptible hair follicles over time. This shortens the anagen phase, and the follicle stops producing visible hair entirely. 

Nutritional Deficiencies

• Deficiencies in iron, ferritin, vitamin D, zinc, and protein are closely associated with hair shedding. 
• Make sure that you follow a balanced diet to get all the essential nutrients. 

Stress

• Both physical and psychological stress push hair follicles into the telogen phase. 
• Hair shedding due to stress typically takes place 2 to 4 months later. 

Medical Conditions and Medications

• Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disease, lupus, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), celiac disease, and anaemia, might lead to hair loss. 
• Certain medications, such as antidepressants, certain blood thinners, cholesterol-lowering drugs, retinoids and antifungals, can cause drug-induced hair fall. 

Air Pollution 

• Research suggests that fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) and pollutants penetrate the scalp and inhibit proteins that help in hair growth. 
• Urban residents with high pollution exposure might face significant hair problems. 

The Hair Loss Stages: Norwood and Ludwig Scales

There are different stages of hair loss in men and women. For males, the stage is measured on the Norwood Scale and for females, it is measured on the Ludwig Scale. 

For the right hair fall treatment, it is important to understand the hair loss stages. 

Male Pattern Baldness: The Norwood Scale (Stages 1-7)

Men should keep a check on an accelerating daily shed. 

1. Stage 1: The hairline is intact with no visible hair loss. 
2. Stage 2: There is a slight recession at the temples. 
3. Stage 3: There is a deeper recession at the temples, which is visible from the front. There might be hair loss at the crown. 
4. Stage 4: The temples will become more prominent, plus there will be significant thinning at the crown, probably separated by a band of hair.
5. Stage 5: The bridge of hair between the crown and temples narrows.
6. Stage 6: The top of the head is completely bald, while the two areas merge. 
7. Stage 7: Only a part of the hair remains at the back and at the sides. 

Female Pattern Hair Loss: The Ludwig Scale (Stages 1-3)

The majority of women are often underdiagnosed, as female pattern hair loss is subtle and not much discussed. 

1. Stage 1: There is mild thinning at the parting. The hair volume also reduces. 
2. Stage 2: The hair parting becomes prominently wider. There is a significant reduction in overall hair volume. 
3. Stage 3: There is severe thinning across the top of the scalp. The hairline is usually preserved. 

How to Diagnose Hair Loss Problems?

It is crucial to diagnose the exact hair loss problem if you are seeking hair fall control solutions. Here are some diagnostic tests that can help understand the hair loss issues. 

Pull Test

Grasp around 60 strands of hair gently between the thumb and forefinger. Run them through with light tension. If you pull out 6 or more hair strands, it is positive, suggesting active hair fall. 

Scalp Examination

Scalp examination is crucial. Check for inflammation, follicle miniaturization, and scaling. 

Scalp Biopsy

If the doctor suspects autoimmune alopecia and scarring, they might suggest a scalp biopsy. 

Dermoscopy

Dermoscopy helps diagnose follicle issues causing hair fall. It offers a magnified scalp analysis to assess follicle health. 

Blood Test Panel

Hair loss problems can be detected via a blood test panel, including serum ferritin, vitamin D (25-OH), serum iron, CBC, TSH, free T4,  TIBC, fasting insulin, serum zinc, and androgens (total testosterone, DHEA-S). 

Some people are diagnosed with ‘stress-related’ hair loss. The underlying driver might be a deficiency in any one of the mentioned components. Among these, iron deficiency and vitamin D insufficiency are the most common reasons. 

How to Stop/Reduce Hair Fall: Available Treatment Options

Hair fall treatment should be according to the cause and hair loss stages. Here are some of the most common available treatments:

Topical Minoxidil (2% for Women and 5% for Men)

This is the most evidence-based over-the-counter treatment. It increases follicle size and prolongs the anagen phase. It takes almost 4 to 6 months to show the results. 

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy 

This procedure involves injecting your own platelets into your scalp to stimulate follicle activity. Candidates have to take this treatment in 3 sessions over a span of 3 to 4 months. 

Hair Transplant Surgery (FUE/FUT)

FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) uses individual follicles from a donor area and implants them in the bald and patchy areas. The results from this treatment are best suited for Norwood Stages 3 to 6. 

Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)

There are various FDA-cleared devices, such as combs, caps, and helmets, that use red light from a laser to stimulate cellular energy in hair follicles. Effective results are observed in the early to mid stages of the hair loss problem. 

Oral Medications

The main prescription options for oral medications for combating the hair fall problem include spironolactone or oral minoxidil for women and finasteride for men. Finasteride is highly effective in slowing down androgenic alopecia. 

Nutritional Supplementation 

In case the blood test report shows deficiencies in vitamin D, iron, and zinc, addressing the confirmed deficiencies helps in combating the hair fall problem. Proper nutritional supplementation, such as Hair Vitamin for men and Hair Vitamin For Her for women, works well. 

How to Stop Hair Fall Immediately?

While the biological nature of the hair-growth cycle means that physical changes aren't visible overnight, the ‘immediate’ action starts with a shift in strategy. True hair loss management is a consistent process that depends entirely on the specific type and stage of your condition.

• For telogen effluvium, the target is to identify and resolve the trigger. Regrowth starts within 6 to 12 months. A follow-up blood panel at 3 months is mandatory to check progress. 
• For androgenic alopecia, the goal is to maintain existing hair and slow progression. Continue taking Minoxidil and finasteride indefinitely. Regular checkups are mandatory to monitor response and adjust treatment accordingly. 

Regardless of the cause, documentation is your best tool for success. Ensure you photograph your scalp every 3 months under consistent lighting to track your progress objectively. 

Securing an accurate diagnosis is only the first step; the second is following a roadmap designed for your specific biology. By consulting with experts like those at Traya, you can move away from generic fixes and toward a clinical, root-cause approach.

How Traya Helps With Hair Fall Control

Traya offers excellent solutions for hair fall as it addresses the problem right from the roots. It combines the goodness of Science, Ayurveda, and Nutrition. Through personalised hair care, Traya works to address the real reason behind your hair fall. Rather than addressing symptoms in isolation, each product in a Traya plan targets a specific internal driver of hair loss.

For example, 

• Health Tatva helps improve your body’s nutrient absorption so that the follicles get the required nutrition. 
• Hair Ras brings natural herbs in a simple daily supplement to stimulate follicle activity. 
• Calm Ras works on hormonal triggers, combating the problem of hair loss from stress-related reasons. 

And so on. 

Conclusion

Hair fall is not a single cause issue. There are various interacting factors, such as hormones, genetics, nutrition, stress, scalp health, and more, causing the problem. For any effective hair loss management plan, it is important to understand the specific type and stage of hair loss. With timely diagnosis, care, and evidence-based treatments, most people experience significant improvements.   

FAQs

1. What is the new treatment for hair loss?

New hair loss treatments have targeted and long-lasting solutions. Key advancements include non-shaven FUE hair transplants, oral minoxidil for better efficacy, and PRP therapy for stimulating follicle regeneration. 

2. What is stage 5 hair loss?

Stage 5 hair loss in the Norwood scale is when the bridge of hair between the crown and temples narrows. This is an advanced male pattern baldness, and hair loss is highly visible. 

3. What are the big 3 for hair regrowth?

The big 3 for hair regrowth are mainly used for androgenetic alopecia. It is a combination of Minoxidil, Finasteride, and Ketoconazole shampoo. Using the big 3 stops hair fall, stimulates growth, and creates a healthy scalp environment. 

4. What is the biggest reason for hair fall?

Heredity is the biggest reason for hair fall, impacting millions as they age. Other primary reasons include intense stress, hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies, heat and styling, pollution, and more. 

5. How long does hair fall treatment take to show results?

Most of the hair fall treatments take time to show results. For instance, topical minoxidil typically shows visible results in about 4 to 6 months.PRP therapy shows improvement after 3 to 4 sessions. Nutritional supplementation may take 3 to 6 months before hair regrowth becomes apparent.

6. What is the difference between hair fall and alopecia?

Hair fall refers to everyday hair shedding, which is normal. Alopecia, on the other hand, is the clinical term for abnormal and excessive hair loss. There are different types of alopecia, demanding different diagnoses and treatment approaches.

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